Viewpoint of the Scientific & Technological Communities on Mining
Thank you Mr. Chairman for giving the floor to the Scientific & Technological Communities
Mining, the primary production of metallic and non-metallic minerals, has an important role to
play in sustainable development, as a source of essential raw materials, and as an engine of
economic development and wealth creation. Minerals and metals are essential to every sector
of every nation?s economy and will play a determining role in the feasibility of the emerging
technologies that sustainability will require. Thus, mining is inextricably linked to the other four
thematic areas being addressed during CSD 18. For example, progress toward meeting
sustainable development goals in the area of transport will require infrastructure built of
aggregates, cement, and various metals. Minerals are also integral to sustainability in other
areas, such as the MDG of food security, which will require fertilizers made of nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potash.
We recognize that no single ore deposit or mine is sustainable. However, the ability of the
minerals industry to make positive contributions to society, and to set the stage for
empowering sustainable communities, increasingly depends on the sector?s willingness to
adopt sustainable mining practices. Many of these practices are in turn based on sound science
and the application of appropriate technology. For mining technologies of the present and
future to be compatible with sustainable development, they must be economically feasible,
contribute to positive community development, fairly share risks and benefits within and across
generations, and have low environmental footprints. Specific attention to the entire life cycle
of a mine, from exploration, to project development, operations, closure and post-closure must
become the frame of reference for any assessment of a mine project?s contributions to
sustainable development.
Specific examples of engineering-based technical improvements realized in mining over the
past decade (and for which wider implementation is required) include:
- Reduction of the water footprints of mining and minerals processing (e.g., increased
water recycling) and the use of environmentally benign dust-suppression chemicals that
reduce road-watering intensity;
- Waste-heat recovery and co-generation projects resulting in significant efficiencies and
reduction in carbon emissions;
- Use of renewable energy (such as solar, wind, geothermal) on mine-sites;
- Use of robotics, particularly in sub-surface environments that may pose unacceptable
risk to human life such as excessive temperatures at depth or radioactivity;
- Re-processing of mineral wastes to recover lower grade remnants left behind by
previous generations, as well as the rare earth elements essential for green
technologies; and
- Proper management of waste stockpiles, including accounting for segregation of
material types for leaching and/or future aggregate potential.
The Scientific and Technological Communities recognize that the advancement, sharing and
application of knowledge, science, engineering and technology must be central to efforts of
addressing the sustainable development challenges associated with mining. Mining, mineral
processing and metallurgical engineers, and those in each of the supporting earth science fields,
who have been trained in the principles of sustainability will be needed to implement scientific
and engineering advances in the field. Supporting education and research in these fields will be
essential and must be expanded, particularly in developing nations.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
Deborah Shields, WFEO
